The contact owns a 2008 Kia Spectra. The contact stated that all three brake lights failed to illuminate as intended. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who diagnosed that the brake light switch assembly multi-connector wiring harness needed to be repaired. The vehicle was repaired. The contact found information on other Kia recalls for other years, makes, and models that described the same parts failure. The contact found information on SC077 (Brake Switch), SC298 (Light Assembly), and SC299 (Light Assembly). The manufacturer was informed of the failure, and a case was opened. The failure mileage was 209,000.
The worst 2008 Kia Spectra problems
Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.
Problems by type
Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.
- Airbags61
- Acceleration15
- Electrical14
- Engine11
- Lights8
- Seat belts8
- Brakes6
- Fuel system5
- Steering5
- Body4
- Transmission4
- Locks3
- Seats2
- Tires2
- Driver assistance1
- Suspension1
- Visibility1
- Wheels1
Specific symptoms reported on the 2008 Kia Spectra
Airbag light 34No deployment 15Stalling 9Door locks 7Adaptive cruise 6
Recalls
No recalls on record for this model year.
Defect investigations
Occupant Classification System
The subject vehicle population is MY 2007-2009 Kia Spectra vehicles.Consumers report that the SRS (air bag) warning light is illuminated in their vehicle.The focus of the investigation was the failure of the front seat passenger Occupant Classification System (OCS) sensor mat.This sensor mat is embedded in the front passenger seat cushion and is intended to detect child seats and small statured occupants who could be harmed by deployment of the passenger frontal air bag.The OCS may develop a failure due to an open circuit in the sensor mat caused by the mat cracking during use.An open circuit in the OCS sensor mat is detected as a fault in the system by the air bag diagnostic. A trouble code will then be stored in the air bag control unit and the air bag warning light will be illuminated.If this fault is detected, the OCS will not suppress the front passenger air bag and in a crash of sufficient severity the front passenger air bag will deploy regardless of the nature or size of the child seat or occupant in the front passenger seat.The report counts shown above include only those reports that specifically address the issue covered by this investigation, failure of the OCS sensor mat.Reports alleging only that the ?air bag light is on with no cause stated, or where no cause was otherwise identified, were excluded as the air bag light could be illuminated for system faults other than an OCS malfunction.Kia's assessment was that the cracking was caused by owner abuse.The subject vehicles have been in service for an average of approximately eight (8) years.An analysis of Kia's warranty data for the subject vehicles, including a comparison with other agency and manufacturer data pertaining to similar OCS failure investigations, indicates that the subject vehicles experience a comparatively low complaint rate for this issue given the number of years the vehicles have been in service.Kia has implemented an extended warranty program for the OCS sensor mat providing for free replacement for 15 years regardless of vehicle mileage and will send owners of the subject vehicles letters notifying them of the potential hazards posed by OCS failure as well as the terms of the extended warranty.Consumers whose air bag warning light is illuminated will have the opportunity to have their vehicle diagnosed and, if a fault is indicated, have the OCS sensor mat repaired at no charge.In view of the comparatively low complaint rate and Kia's implementation of an extended warranty with owner notification, ODI has tentatively concluded that the actions taken by Kia mitigate any unreasonable risk to safety posed by OCS sensor mat failures in the subject vehicles.Accordingly, the investigation is closed.The closing of this investigation does not constitute a finding by the federal safety agency that a safety-related defect does not exist, and the agency reserves the right to take additional action if warranted by new circumstances.Details on Kia's extended warranty program, including a copy of both Kia's letter to the consumer and Kia's letter to their dealers, for the subject vehicle population will be available in the public file for this investigation. The ODI reports cited above can be viewed at http://www?odi.the federal safety agency.dot.gov/owners/ Searchreference under the following identification (ODI) numbers: 10789130, 10787308, 10785138, 10777856, 10765359, 10745773, 10746133, 10745528, 10721336, 10715846, 10712140, 10712046, 10706009, 10705387, 10681321, 10677080, 10673071, 10654873, 10654522, 10652472, 10651525,10643205, 10639671, 10638251, 10627289, 10621507, 10620724, 10615883, 10609000, 10607838, 10606252,10577842, 10568029, 10564527, 10561224,
PE15031
Technical service bulletins for the 2008 Kia Spectra 30
Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.
- Information for headlamp condensation and moisture
- Pitstop - engine component re-use guidelines
- Mandatory replacement of locking/security hardware
- Mandatory replacement of locking/security hardware
- Revision: owner letter: WTY001
- Revision: dealer parts and service manager memo: WTY001 - 2007-2009 my spectra (LD) front passenger ocs...
- Revision: warranty bulletin: WTY001 - 2007-2009 my spectra (LD) front passenger ocs sensor mat warranty...
- TSB - use of aftermarket USB charging cables in USB/12V ports
- Owner letter: WTY001
- Front passenger ocs sensor mat diagnosis and replacement
2008 Kia Spectra fuel economy
Official EPA estimates in miles per gallon (MPGe for electric). Ranges cover trims that share the same engine.
| Engine | Drive | City | Highway | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.0L 4‑cyl | FWD | 23-24 | 30-32 | 26-27 |
What 2008 Kia Spectra owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
After starting car, for first 15-20 mins, all normal. After speedometer go erratic (showing slower than actual speed - or - higher than actual speed) and soon after it just stops working. No check engine light. Dangerous to drive without knowing actual speed. Have to use mobile phone app like Waze or something which shows apx speed. Upon internet search, I found there are many Kia spectra Ex (from 05-09 models) reported similar issues. This situation is dangerous as driver may be following speedometer on highway and ending up driving slower than actual speed. the federal safety agency should issue a recall. Kia - as usual - never acknowledged issue to save money. Dealership recommending me buy a new car rather than fixing the issue or at least attempting to fix it. When declined for trade-in (or buy a new car) they demanded upfront diagnostic charges without telling me what is actual issue.
I have tires sized 195/60r15. I was having problems with shaking at a certain speed. my mechanic checked all the options that could have been mechanical and directed me to a tire shop. I brought the car in for them to check for balance. rims, etc. During the inspection, they discovered that both rear tires, driver and passenger side were separating. I had never had problems with tires until I purchased these. The third attached photo was after I first purchased the tires. The piece was shaved off and I don't know why. I had to replace it. I contacted this office on November 19, 2023, with the initial complaint about the tires. Tracking number 11555870.
195/60/15 I purchased four new tires From Prospect Tire and Wheels on September 23, 2022, with an alignment. In August of this year, 2023, I returned because of an issue with one of the tires, and the alignment. They told me after replacing the most serious issue that all four tires had "bubbles". They weren't willing to do anything except to rotate the "bad" tires to the rear of the car and sell me one other that absolutely had to be replaced. They offered me the contact information for their distributors as they had no idea which one it was they got the tires from. I contacted Cooper about the issue and the representative I spoke to, Julie, said they had no record of them because these particular tires were destined for Mexico? In my response below, I indicate when the tires were first purchased up until now, because I've had nothing but issues with them since.
Duplicate transactions that we're compromising but verified through multiple accounts that were unauthorized and purchased by another provider or driver that was added to orginal policy along with several price gouges in Individual policies that had ties to driving history altered n edited it would seem to cause infamation to the cost of the driver would be expected to pay we meaning the eight orginal known targets at first glance all were verified as fatca act needing to be filed and then problems with verification of identity and us citizenship even from. 15 states that had alternate unauthorized banking information on file to match so.e bussiness n private insurance policies bought n then deliberately bolos begin called on the victims for reprocessed purposes of a new getaway car for the villain in this scenario. We also found that multiple devices that were begin paid for were attached through pre paid account to the orginal account that was authorized user ot driver has no prior knowledge of the added account or debit card that made the transactions or the fact that the mail was begindeffered and altered to manipulate the issues further from finding the assailants that are using victims as scapegoats by the end of the fun I. Ruin my life with the damage to keep on touching and effecting everything else.
The passenger air bag has failed. The dash light stays on due to issue and the air bag itself stays off per the light on the airbag on/off alert. I contacted the dealership who quoted me over $100 just to take a look at it, but was told this seems to be an issue with Spectras that they see pretty commonly.
The passenger airbag sensor started failing when I purchased the car in 2017 and has since completely failed, which has caused the airbag light to turn on. The kia dealership wants to charge $140 to run an airbag diagnostic and from what I have researched, I will have to replace the entire seat, which may cost more than the value of the car. My concern at this point is whether or not any of the airbags will be deployed in the event of a collision.
Yes so my air bag light when I got the car was off an it just popped up couple weeks ago! I have tried everything possible to try to fix it an still is on. I even brought a new driver seat an it still didn't fix the problem. My be hope has been parked since the air bag light has been on.
I was driving to work on 7 march 2020. As soon as I turn to park in the parking lot of my job, the car turned off. I try to crank it on 3 times it wouldn't let me. So I went in to work, thank god I made it to the parking lot at least. After running to auxine to see what's wrong with it (they were no help) I made few calls between friends and car companies. Turned out it was the timing belt that snapped and it's because it wasn't change for a long time and I only had the car for 3 years. So with the timing belt messing up, it mess up the engine also. I am now with no car juggling between rides and taxis to take to work. I really love my kia and I am so sad this happened. I don't even know what to do. This happened at zaxbys parking lot (where I work at) in wilson, nc.
Tl* the contact owned a 2008 kia spectra. The contact stated while a passenger in the vehicle travelling at 45 MPH, the vehicle was hit on the passenger side by another vehicle as a result the passenger and driver side air bags as well as the passenger side air bags failed to deploy. The passenger and the driver of her vehicle sustained back, head and arm injures while the driver sustained neck and back injuries that required medical attention. The contact stated that the occupants of the other vehicle sustained no injuries. A police report was filed. The car was drivable as the air bags failed deploy however, the vehicle was deemed a total loss. The approximate failure mileage 185,000. The VIN was not available.*dt*jb*dt*dt
Compare the 2008 Kia Spectra
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Questions about the 2008 Kia Spectra
Is the 2008 Kia Spectra reliable?
Owners have filed 121 complaints about the 2008 Kia Spectra, 1.2 times a typical Spectra model year.
What is the 2008 Kia Spectra year score?
The 2008 Kia Spectra scores 68 out of 100 (average). The score compares it with the other model years of the Kia Spectra: 75 is a typical year, 50 means twice the usual complaints, and serious complaints and recalls lower it.
What is the most common problem with the 2008 Kia Spectra?
Airbags, with 61 complaints, typically around 65,000 miles. Next is acceleration (15).
How many recalls does the 2008 Kia Spectra have?
No recalls on record.
What year does the Kia Spectra have bad airbags?
The Kia Spectra model years with the most airbags complaints are 2009 (76 complaints), 2008 (61 complaints) and 2007 (56 complaints).
What gas mileage does the 2008 Kia Spectra get?
Official estimates for the 2008 Kia Spectra range from 26 to 27 mpg combined. The most efficient version (2.0L 4-cyl, FWD) gets 23-24 city and 30-32 highway.
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